As I take Levi's hand in mine, he pulls me slowly down the street in the dark while we twirl around to the sound of restaurants playing classical music and people whispering melodies through the air. It was almost like a movie - besides the fact that I can't actually dance.
Levi twirls me around and I laugh while I fall into him as he continuously picks me up to the beat of the music. When we reach the edge of the downtown street, he throws me back into a dip, pulling me up slowly. I laugh and he hugs me close, rocks me until the ending of the beautiful song.
As the last note is sung and the final blow of the trumpet sounds, Levi pulls me back and sits me down on the edge of the fountain.
"Well, you've never told me you could dance," I say out of breath as I give him a small laugh.
He places and arm around my shoulder and shrugs it off. "My uncle taught me when I was younger. He said I would need to know how to dance for when I got older and needed to impress girls."
"Well, you impressed me."
He laughs and grabs my hands to pull me up so we can continue to walk through the moonlit grass. People continue to dance through the streets to the flawless music sounding from the various performers. They are, in fact, pretty amazing.
Levi grabs my hand and brings me down a small hill, which caused my clumsy body to trip over a small bump. As I fall forward and let out a small yelp, Levi grabs me by my arms and stomach and pulls me back up before I have a chance to land on the cold dirt below. "I got you," he says as he places and arm around my waist to secure me.
"Thanks," I whisper to him.
Levi's always been one to be an old fashioned romantic. I can guarantee you that wherever we go on a date, at some point it will involve either a grand piano, rose petals, or some cheesy pickup line. Yet, he never fails to make me fall harder. Not literally like I just did moments before, but in a way that makes me appreciate his company more and more.
"Why don't we sit by the water. Under the bridge," he suggests and he pulls me towards the stone arch placed next to the lit up body of water on the side of the town. I give him a nod and allow him to guide me farther down the hill and into the cold glass.
As I begin to sit, Levi stops me short by placing his jacket under the two of us so we don't have to sit in the uncomfortable grass. Like I told you - the cliché part of our date. It wouldn't be a Levi and Parker date without the gentleman gesture from him.
"Do you feel okay?" He asks as he holds me closer on his jacket and under the protective bridge. I nod and place my head on his shoulder to watch the water sparkle with the lights of the city around us.
"Parker... I need to talk to you about something."
"Hmm?" I inquire as I lean closer in to listen to his husky voice against the soft and pure sounds of the rippling water in front of us.
"I'm going to Chicago with my father for the summer."
"What?" I ask as I bounce up from his chest and look at him directly in the eye. He can't be serious. Chicago is... Well... At least three hundred miles from here! It's not like he can just visit on weekends or anything...
"What do you mean you're going to Chicago?" I ask as I sit up and turn to face him. Suddenly, his jackets not feeling as comforting and the bridge above us isn't as protective as I once saw it being.
"My mom thought it would be best for me. We start senior year next year, so, she thought I should spend the summer with my dad before we start another school year."
"But... You can't just leave like this! Not when I'm like this!" I cry as I watch his hands begin to tremble while he begins to bite his lip, suddenly feeling just as scared and uncomfortable as me.
"I don't want to go. But I won't forget about you while I'm there! And I'll write and call and everything! I'll be back in August. It's not like I'm leaving forever."
"I know," I sigh as I look out towards the water. The town as well is looking more dim and sad by the minute as the realization that Levi's leaving me sinks in.
"We have about a week."
"A week?" I shriek.
"My mom didn't tell me until last night. I'm sorry." It's obvious that Levi's holding back tears. I can't blame him, I feel like my throats closing and my chest is heavy with nothing but heartbreak.
"I still love you. And I'll still be back."
"You... Love me?" I ask in awe. We haven't used the forever feared 'L' word at all in our relationship - or until now.
"Yes. I think it's time to tell you that... I love you Parker."
I choke back tears and anxiety as I realize that he's just as nervous and shocked as I am. So, I do the best thing I can think of. I say it back.
"I love you too Levi."
He smiles through his quivering lip and weary eyes to give me a hug and hold me close - something I'll miss when he's gone. It's not that I'm not happy for him - trust me, I know he loves to travel. I'd never deprive him of that - but I'll miss him so much.
"Maybe we should call it a night," I suggest as I stand up and fix my dress. Levi gets up and picks up his jacket to throw over my shoulders before he guides me back to the pedestrian-packed streets of downtown. It's not nearly as romantic or exciting as it was when we were dancing by the waterfall, which is also now looking a fading emerald green as I get a better glance at it.
We round the corner to one of he stores, and that's when I see it: Avery standing still in black clothes with a hammer in her hand and a rag in the other. She stops breaking the glass windows of the abandoned store next to us when she hears my heels click down the back ally and towards her.
"Avery, what the hell are you doing?" I shriek as Levi holds me back from running full force towards her.
"You were part of the taggers. And now, I'm part of the clashers."
YOU ARE READING
The Quiet Ones
Adventure"Don't go outside after dark." This was a well-established rule in the whole community. After dark, groups of rebels emerged onto the streets of town and vandalized everything in their sight. Parker Reynolds knew this, she knew this rule almost too...
